This Monday is my manager's
last full day of work. I know that because, although she is working through the 31st, I now have an appointment at 0900 on 31 March to take back her computer, badge, and phone. The reality of the event can no longer be escaped.
We had a very nice department dinner for her last Wednesday with all of our group attending after hours, a wonderful testament to her influence and the team she has built. It strikes me that we do not do enough non-related work activities; it is good to talk to your coworkers as people, not just as fellow employees in the office environment.
In about two weeks we should know the next steps how leadership is handling this.
Also, in a not unrelated note, starting this week I will have 8 hours a week of one on one meetings. It was a practice my manager had with her employees and I now have with mine. It helps to keep an active pulse on people in a way I may not be able to do on a daily basis.
Needless to say, my own work schedule and tasks need to get refocused as well.
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I am, somewhat to my own surprise, co-leading another small group.
You might recall that in the Autumn of 2024, I attended a 10 week group at what was my then church. It was a remarkable experience; I do not think I have experienced a small group like it: 9 men, openly sharing their journeys to God and participating in a study on the basics of Christianity. It was remarkable enough that, 1.5 years later, we still continue to meet together for a weekly bible study.
I had thought after my stint doing the seven week small group last Autumn, I was done - or at least, had no intentions of leading anything else. Except when the pastor of your church reaches out to you directly and asks if you would consider co-leading a group (with one of the men from that initial 2024 group).
We start April 9th.
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In what can be one of the only times I have actually been on the cutting edge of a trend, I am mid-way through a six week series of classes on curling.
The sign-up was a bit of a lark from one of my coworkers. The Olympics helped in this regard; I actually knew what I was getting into.
The classes are about 3 hours, with 45 minutes of classroom and the rest of the time out on the ice. We have been practicing basic skills like taking off from the hack (the small black item on the ice like a runner's block), balancing on the release, releasing a stone, the basics of sweeping (I still have no idea what I am doing), and the basics of strategy.
My co-workers and I enjoy it enough that we are registering for a three game Spring league. We will be complete novices, but it is a great way to spend a few hours. Also, like lots of "Fringe Sports", the people are really nice.
I have not purchased any specific equipment - yet. Let us see where the league leads us.
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The last bits of the Ranch sale continue apace. Last week, the wells were chlorinated. Unsurprisingly, the finance company also wanted the walls of the pumphouse with the mold replaced. As far as I know, those are the last two items, along with the relocation of all materials in the barn and the Cabin being empty (in good news, Uisdean Ruadh has a place to go).
I have not ever white knuckled the economic reports before, but I am now. We literally just need 22 days at this point.
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Nighean Gheal is headed back to the Big Big City.
You may recall that she completed her year teaching English in South Korea and decided not to renew. She has been floating a bit since September, staying at the house in New Home and doing some on-line tutoring to pay the bills. She was looking at a couple of possible job fields and possibly staying in New Home, but New Home is not convenient if you do not drive or have a car.
As it turns out, Nighean Bhan's fiancé's sister is moving out of her room in the Big Big City. I am reliably informed by those in the know that it is a good deal in a reasonable neighborhood. Nighean Gheal thrives in an urban environment. She already has a friend group there from living there before and a series of interests she can plug back into. She is pursuing a job teaching English as a Second Language, something which she seems to be good at and have a passion for. She flies out this Wednesday.
At this rate, I may end up for a visit there, something I have been trying to avoid for most of my life. Unlike Nighean Gheal, I begrudgingly visit cities or live in them.
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This past weekend I went to our local Japanese garden as it was reaching peak blossom season. It deserves a fuller pictorial essay (coming soon), but here are a few pictures to whet your interest:
